Tavite Tonga, a talented trombonist with a blossoming career in New Zealand’s music scene, credits his Tongan heritage and Christian faith as the pillars of his musical journey. His deep connection to brass instruments, particularly the trombone, reflects the strong cultural and spiritual roots that have shaped his path.
“Brass instruments, they’re the closest you can get to the human voice,” Tavite explained in a recent interview with Ma’a Brian Sagala on Pacific Days. “The only difference between singing and brass playing is that it’s your lips buzzing instead of your throat.”
For Tavite, the trombone is more than just an instrument; it is a symbol of his faith and cultural identity. “I think it kind of goes back to our roots and Christianity. The trombone and trumpets were treated as divine instruments by early composers, primarily used in religious masses or oratorios. They were really connected to religious music, and I think that’s kind of found its way into Tongan communities as well.”
Tavite’s impressive resume includes performances with the National Youth Orchestra of New Zealand, Auckland Choral, and currently with the Manukau Concert Band and Auckland City Brass. His dedication to music extends beyond performance; he teaches low brass instruments, conducts school ensembles, and has been named an associate conductor for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
His educational role, which involves traveling between schools as an itinerant teacher, has required him to master additional instruments like the euphonium and tuba. “I currently do a little bit more conducting, primarily taking groups and ensembles, concert bands primarily. Alongside that, I still get to do a little bit of teaching primarily on this thing [trombone]. And I’ve had to pick up the euphonium and tuba along the way as schools are looking for those things.”
Tavite’s introduction to the trombone was serendipitous. A music teacher, noticing his potential, suggested the instrument when his mother enrolled him in music lessons. “We rock up to sign up for music lessons, and this lady looks at me and she goes, ‘You have the lips of a trombone player.’ And ever since that moment…some 13 years later, I’m still doing it.”
Though it took time for Tavite to fully embrace his passion for the trombone, a turning point came during a gap year between high school and university. “I kind of asked myself a question at the end of the year, what do I miss most? Funnily enough, it was playing the trombone every day. So I decided to sign up for a music degree [at the University of Auckland], and then I walked in those doors for the first time and I was just hooked.”
Looking forward, Tavite aims to diversify his musical pursuits, balancing performance, education, and directing. “I remember our first chat in 2021, I was very set on becoming an orchestral player, but I feel like as I get older, I want to diversify my interests a bit more. Not only through my playing but through my educating and my music directing. I want to be more of a multifaceted kind of musician.”
